A twelve year old student from Belize City has topped the yearly art competition sponsored by Atlantic Bank Limited. The winning piece was judged on originality and creativity; it interpreted the competition’s theme by way of cultural diversity. The outstanding entries made it a difficult decision for the judges, Noel Escalante, Kirkland Smith and Tarcilla […]
In the first two parts of our carnival series, we focused on the birth of the local carnival in the seventies and relived the big moment when the groups participated in the Miami Carnival. As the years went by, the costumes have become more elaborate, intricate and in some instances particularly revealing. Most observers will […]
The origins of the Belizean carnival have been traced back to 1975 by Researcher Lawrence Vernon. The event is now firmly in the calendar of activities for the month of September; it didn’t get there by sheer luck, in fact there were conflicting views on where the bacchanal would best fit because it was quickly […]
In July, the Flavors of Belize cookbook was launched at the Biltmore Plaza with a grand cocktail that featured sampling from several cooking stations of cultural cuisine from the recipe book. Locally, the book has been well received and its Publisher, McNab Designs is in the process of launching it in the U.S. But while […]
The Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe of China has been perfecting traditional Chinese acrobatic skills and merging them with modern dance, artistic gymnastics, theatre and other forms. The group has created its own artistic style representing the Guangdong region of southern China and you have the opportunity to experience it for one night only at the Bliss. […]
Belize has lost one of its most gifted artists. Early this morning, Leroy “Bass” Castillo succumbed to a heart illness that he had been battling with for years. News of his death shook the music industry and tributes have been pouring in from those who acknowledge his gift as a musician, composer, writer and singer. […]
Summer is slowly winding down and so are the many camps that sprung up two months ago. To culminate its summer activities, the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) opened an art exhibit at the House of Culture today. It features impressive pieces by the young camp participants, most of whom have no previous […]
If you wonder what life holds for beauty queens after pageants, this next story will shed a minor light. Former Queen of the Bay 1998 Shari Williams is the Communications Officer for the National Institute of Culture and History. NICH is working toward creating a National Cultural Policy and is seeking opinions and ideas from […]
Rachel Heusner is a Belizean who lives in Trinidad and Tobago; but her love for Belize and her passion for painting soon infused to create works of art. With a wide collection that dates way back to the mid 1980’s, Heusner paints to tell stories. Over the last two decades, she travelled across the Caribbean […]
The iconic Belizean artist, Benjamin Nicholas, passed away in Dangriga on April ninth. This past Monday, would have been his eighty-second birthday, and the Embassy of Mexico is honoring him with two exhibitions, showcasing his works in Dangriga and Belize City. Nicholas is described as a great proponent for the Garifuna, promoting the culture through […]
An expressive arts camp in drama, dance and arts and craft culminated today at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. The camp was sponsored by the Ministry of Education to promote patriotism and by Crimestoppers Belize. Close to fifty students participated and they were beaming with pride as they showed off to friends and […]
If your child is still trying to choose a camp, perhaps this one may bring out their talent. It’s the third annual Summer Arts Institute being held by the Institute of Creative Arts to bolster the arts of acting, singing, dancing and playing an instrument. The arts program began on Monday and runs through to […]
Some of the most delicious recipes from your favorite restaurants have been compiled into a local cookbook like no other; Flavors of Belize. This hardcover cookbook holds over one hundred and twenty recipes, featuring cultural specials from the Maya, Mestizo, Creole, East Indian, Garifuna, Chinese, Caribbean, Lebanese and the British. Flavors of Belize, which is […]
An estimated one billion people have a facebook account, that staggering statistic probably includes you or someone you know. The utility that was launched in 2004 has become one of the most useful tools to connect and it is also used as an effective marketing instrument. This morning Frank Palacio, a writer with local roots, […]
A first of its kind global debate was held in London today, the hip-hop genre of music and whether it’s an art form that gives the street a voice or if it’s simply about money, misogyny and materialism. The lineup of panelists included civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, computer scientist and composer Jaron Lanier, hip-hop […]
September is still a few months away, but the first event of the upcoming carnival season takes place this weekend. To kick things off, the Instigate Carnival Fete is taking place this Sunday. The event is held early because it is an opportunity for carnival bands to raise start-up funds for the very expensive costumes […]
The seventh annual Belize International Film Festival is set to open with a bang in the next few weeks. For the first time, a locally produced film, ‘2012 Kurse a di Xtabai’ is scheduled to open the weeklong festival. While the anticipation of the Belizean movie is one thing, there will be a record breaking […]
We’ve reported so far on the arrest of law enforcement officers, other crimes and flooding, but there’s something positive that has just concluded that shows talent of the youth. The annual National Festival of Arts, a showcase in the performing arts, culminated with a youth concert at the Bliss over the weekend. The event brought […]
Tonight we air Part two of our series on the equinox at Caracol covered by Channel’s Five William Neal and Alex Ellis earlier this year. In this segment, Dr. Jaime Awe explains the significance of the equinox as well as the Mayan calendar. But did the Mayas believe the world would end in 2012? Find […]
A legend in Belizean arts also passed away on Wednesday in Chicago. Bob Reneau was truly the definition of an artist; he was a talented singer, dancer, painter, playwright and producer, composer and to many, he was a teacher. Before he moved away, his students and other Belizeans in the arts had the privilege of […]
Elsewhere in the valley, a grand festival is held annually in Flowers Bank Village to celebrate fourteen men who changed the course of Belize’s history. On June first 1797, the men swayed a vote to stay and fight for Belize and have become known as the Flowers Bank fourteen. So this weekend, all the fun […]
The festival promises to be fun for the entire family; but it is also an educational event. Rhaburn is especially inviting students to attend and win prizes for answering questions about Flowers Bank and its history. And, through a partnership with the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, an important exhibit is also being launched […]
Earlier this year Channel Five’s William Neal and Alex Ellis headed west to the Caracol Mayan site to witness the splendor of the spring equinox of the astrological Mayan calendar, which ends in December 2012. The event, the first of four coordinated by NICH and the B.T.B., was held at the base of Kaana. Our […]
The National Festival Arts, which celebrates the creativity of primary and high school students, started on Wednesday at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts. Decked out in colorful and creative costumes, over a hundred students from Cayo and Corozal congregated at the Bliss and took over the stage in dance, drama and singing. We […]
The Liberty Winds, you might not have heard of them before but they are a renowned classical wind quintet. The five musicians are known for the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn. They have travelled across North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia, performing alongside major ensembles and orchestras. Their collection includes a […]
